The wholesale and retail trade sector maintained its growth momentum in May 2026, with total sales increasing 11.0% year-on-year to RM171.3 billion, supported by robust wholesale activity and resilient consumer spending during the festive and holiday period.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the sector’s volume index, which measures real trade activity after adjusting for price changes, rose 3.1% from a year earlier, although it declined 1.3% on a month-on-month basis.
Wholesale trade emerged as the strongest-performing segment, recording sales of RM80.8 billion, up RM12.6 billion or 18.4% from May 2025.
DOSM said the expansion was primarily driven by the “other specialised wholesale” category, where sales surged 42.6% to RM35.0 billion. The strong performance was largely attributed to higher sales of petrol, diesel, lubricants and liquefied petroleum gas, supported by firmer market prices.
Wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco also grew 5.0%, benefiting from stronger sales of rice, grains, flour, sugar, dairy products and seafood.
Meanwhile, wholesale of household goods increased 3.5% to RM15.2 billion, underpinned by continued demand for pharmaceutical and medical products, jewellery and clothing. Wholesale of agricultural raw materials and live animals expanded 7.3% to RM6.7 billion, supported by stronger palm oil demand.
Retail trade also continued to record healthy growth, with sales rising 7.2% year-on-year to RM71.9 billion, representing an increase of RM4.8 billion compared with the same month last year.
Retail sales at non-specialised stores, including supermarkets and department stores, climbed 8.2% to RM28.0 billion.
Sales at specialised retail stores increased 6.7% to RM15.0 billion, driven by higher demand for pharmaceutical and medical products as well as jewellery.
Retail sales of automotive fuel rose 12.8%, while specialised food, beverage and tobacco retailers recorded 7.2% growth, supported by stronger purchases of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, bakery items and confectionery.
DOSM attributed the sustained retail performance to increased consumer spending during the Labour Day public holiday, the Hari Raya Aidiladha festive period, Wesak Day celebrations and the school holidays in the final week of May.
In contrast, the motor vehicles sub-sector recorded a 2.3% decline in sales to RM18.6 billion, reflecting weaker demand for new vehicles.
Sales of motor vehicles fell 11.4% to RM8.8 billion, consistent with data from the Malaysian Automotive Association, which reported vehicle sales of 61,250 units during the month, while the Road Transport Department recorded 66,089 new vehicle registrations.
However, demand remained healthy in the automotive after-sales market. Sales of motor vehicle parts and accessories increased 7.8%, maintenance and repair services rose 6.8%, while motorcycle sales, servicing and related accessories expanded 9.1%.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s e-commerce sector continued to grow steadily, with the online retail sales index increasing 8.6% year-on-year in May, improving from 7.1% growth recorded in April.
DOSM said the continued expansion reflected resilient consumer spending through digital platforms despite broader economic uncertainties.
In volume terms, wholesale and retail trade activity increased 3.1% from a year earlier, driven mainly by retail trade, which expanded 4.4%, and wholesale trade, which rose 3.2%, indicating that underlying consumer and business demand remained supportive despite softer month-on-month activity.
